Basil Norman, Jr.
Platoon Sergeant Basil Norman, Jr. served with King Company, Third Battalion, 2nd Marines.
He was killed in action at Betio, Tarawa atoll, on 20 November 1943.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 321162
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
This case is under Active Pursuit by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
July 23, 1918
at San Francisco, CA
Parents
Basil Norman Sr.
Clara (McKelvy) Norman
Education
Ventura High School
Occupation & Employer
Hod Carrier
J. H. Woodstock Construction
Service Life
Entered Service
August 27, 1941
at Los Angeles, CA
Home Of Record
Ojai, CA
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Clara Norman
Military Specialty
Platoon NCO
Primary Unit
K/3/2nd Marines
Third Platoon
Campaigns Served
Guadalcanal
Tarawa
Individual Decorations
Silver Star Medal
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Platoon Sergeant Basil Norman Junior served with King Company, 2nd Marines during the campaigns for the Solomon Islands and Tarawa. Originally assigned to a mortar squad, he received two promotions for exceptional leadership and by the fall of 1943 was the NCO of the company’s Third Platoon under 2Lt. James Fawcett.
On 20 November 1943, Norman’s battalion was assigned the task of spearheading the assault on Betio’s Beach Red One – a curved stretch of sand running several hundred yards from the “bird’s beak” in the west to Red Two in the east. At 0400 that morning, “all Marines reported to troop compartments and stood by, combat loaded with full packs, ammunition, grenades, and other ‘goodies’ necessary to fight a war and win,” recalled Fawcett. “We got a brief prayer over the public address system and a pep talk from the battalion commander. The Third Platoon filled two landing crafts. I was in one boat, Sergeants Norman and [Emmet L.] Dimon in the other. It was black as pitch.” Norman and Dimon would go ashore with 3 Squad, a runner, and all the machine guns and mortars attached to the platoon.
The natural shape of the beach created a crossfire for the defenders, and the area became known as “the Pocket.” Slow-moving landing craft were quickly targeted from multiple angles, and many were knocked out as they approached the shore. Hundreds of men were killed or wounded before stepping foot on dry land. Those who survived faced a network of obstacles manned by determined Japanese defenders, and the fighting was close-in and savage
It seemed they planned to fire at and knock out every other tractor. The first wave simply disappared before our eyes. Second wave tractors rushed to fill the gaps but it was impossible. Smoke and fire from burning tractors and ammunition made it difficult to see.
We hit the sand spit and crashed into the sea wall. I jumped out, urged my troops to follow, and looked around. Everywhere I saw death and suffering. One of my squad leaders jumped out and took a bullet right between the eyes. I saw that my [other] squad leader [Sgt. Millard Odom], had been shot in the heart and was dead. I knew we had to get off the sand spit and over that wall.
I took a deep breath, jumped up and yelled "Let's go!" I got up and over and started making progress forward.... I heard Norman and Dimon behind the wall 'kicking ass' and screaming as only Marine sergeants can do. In a short minute troops streamed over the wall.
Platoon Sergeant Norman located one of the Japanese anti-boat guns causing havoc. He was handy with grenades – he was once a Ventura High School baseball star – and with a few well-placed throws, Norman silenced the big gun for good. Next, he turned his attention to a machine gun nest and repeated his performance. Again he succeeded, but this time drew the attention of a Japanese rifleman. A sniper’s bullet killed the twenty-five-year-old Basil Norman on 20 November 1943. He would later receive the Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action.
Burial Information or Disposition
At some point in 1944, a marker bearing Henry Lutzow’s name was placed in a small cemetery near Betio’s Beach Red One. “Cemetery 18” contained four graves – two men from H/2/2 (Private Frank C. Andruseasky and Corporal Robert J. Brand) and two from K/3/2 (Platoon Sergeant Norman and PFC Henry Lutzow).
These markers may have been intended as memorials, rather than actual burial sites. Records for Andruseasky and Brand indicate that they may have been buried in “West Division Cemetery,” also known as “Cemetery 11.” Furthermore, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company did not report recovering any remains from “Cemetery 18” during recovery efforts in 1946.
Next Of Kin Address
Pre-war address of mother, Mrs. Clara Norman.
After her husband and son entered the service, Clara moved to San Francisco.
Location Of Loss
Platoon Sergeant Norman’s battalion was engaged in the vicinity of Beach Red One.
